Methods and Apparatus Relating to Selective Enhancement of Radio Signals

ABSTRACT

A method ( 100 ), performed in a User Equipment (UE), is disclosed. The method is for facilitating the establishing of a UE processing configuration for the selective enhancement of radio signals received or transmitted by the UE. The method comprises receiving from a Transmission Point (TP) of a wireless network an indication that an identified reference signal is usable by the UE for establishing a UE processing configuration ( 110 ), and receiving the identified reference signal from a Transmission Point of the wireless network.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to methods performed in a User Equipment(UE) and in a wireless network for facilitating the establishing by a UEof a UE processing configuration for the selective enhancement of radiosignals received or transmitted by the UE. The present disclosure alsorelates to a UE, a wireless network entity and to a computer program.

BACKGROUND

In a wireless network it is often desirable to be able to selectivelyenhance radio signals transmitted to or received from a particulardirection. A common example of this process is spatial filtering, whichmay also be referred to as beamforming, and may be applied to both thetransmission and reception of radio signals. Transmission beamforminginvolves amplifying a transmitted signal in a selected direction, whileweakening the signal in other directions. Reception beamforming involvesamplifying a desired signal received from a particular direction, whileweakening unwanted signals from other directions. Beamforming increasesthe strength of a received signal over an individual connection, forexample between a Base Station (BS) or other wireless networkTransmission Point (TP) and a User Equipment (UE), and so enhances thethroughput and coverage for that connection. Beamforming also reducesinterference from unwanted signals, thereby enabling severalsimultaneous transmissions over multiple individual connections usingthe same resources in the time-frequency grid, so called Multi userMIMO.

Beamforming may be referred to as analog, involving signal processing atthe Radio Frequency carrier, intermediate frequency or baseband level,or digital, involving signal processing in the digital domain, afterAnalog-to-Digital conversion on a receiving side and beforeDigital-to-Analog conversion on a transmitting side. Both analog anddigital beamforming may be used for transmission and/or reception in theUplink (UL) and Downlink (DL) directions of a wireless network.

An important challenge in the use of beamforming for radio signalexchange is the selection of a direction, or combination of directions,in which to enhance transmitted or received signals. Each possibleselection corresponds to a particular configuration of differenttransmission or reception elements and analog and/or digital processingelements within a transmitting or receiving entity, which configurationof elements results in the selective enhancement of signals transmittedto or received from that particular direction or combination ofdirections. In order to support beamforming in a Base Station for DLtransmissions, a number of reference signals may be transmitted by theBS to a UE, each reference signal being transmitted using a different BSprocessing configuration, or “beam”. The UE may then measure thereceived reference signals and report the measurement results back tothe BS, enabling the BS to select a suitable beam for transmission ofdata to the UE. In many communication networks, including for exampleLTE or 5G networks, both permanent and dynamic reference signals may beused to assist with BS beamforming.

Permanent reference signals, referred to in the following specificationas PRS, are transmitted periodically in a large number of differentdirections by a BS, allowing individual UEs to measure and report backto the BS without the need for any special arrangement between the BSand individual UEs. Individual UEs send measurement reports to the BSindicating the strength of different received PRS, for example via RSRPreadings or other signal strength measurements. The BS may then identifyone or more beams for which the reference signals are reported as beingreceived by the UE strongly, or with good quality, and to use thosebeams for the transmission of dedicated data signals to the UE. As thePRS are transmitted periodically over a large number of beams, therepetition period is necessarily relatively long, in order to avoidmonopolising radio resources required for other purposes.

Dynamic reference signals, known as Channel State Information ReferenceSignals (CSI-RS), are transmitted by a BS only when needed for aparticular connection. A decision as to when and how to transmit CSI-RSis made by the BS and signalled to the UE or UEs concerned. The decisionmay be signalled using a dedicated message known as a measurement grant,or may alternatively be signalled using a configuration message thatestablishes a periodic transmission of CSI-RS, for example over adefined time period. When a UE receives a measurement grant orconfiguration message it conducts measurements on the CSI-RScorresponding to the measurement grant or configuration message andreports these measurements back to the BS. In some situations, the BSmay elect to transmit CSI-RS to a UE using a beam or beams that areknown to be strong for that particular UE, so enabling the UE to reportmore detailed information about those beams. In other situations, the BSmay transmit CSI-RS using a beam or beams that are not known to bestrong for that UE, for example to facilitate fast detection of newbeams when a UE is moving.

Various additional reference signals may also be transmitted by a BS,including for example Demodulation Reference Signals (DMRS) which areincluded when transmitting control information or data to a UE. Owing tothe importance of ensuring that the control data is received by the UE,such transmissions are typically made using a beam or beams that areknown to be strong for that UE.

As discussed above, beamforming may also be performed for the receptionof radio signals, and a UE may thus perform beamforming for thereception of DL transmissions, further enhancing the received signal andsuppressing interference signals. In order to identify the bestconfiguration of analog and/or digital processing elements for receivinga given DL signal, a UE may try receiving reference signals from a BSusing different receiving processing configurations, or receiving beams,and assessing which configuration results in the most effectiveenhancement of the desired signal. Care should be taken to ensure thatthe UE only compares signal strengths achieved with different receivingbeams for reference signals transmitted with the same or similartransmission beams from the BS, otherwise the cause of any difference inreceived signal strength cannot be isolated to the UE receiving beams,as it could also originate with the different BS transmission beams.

UE beamforming may be performed using PRS transmissions, for exampletrialling each possible UE reception processing configuration, orreceiving beam, for the reception of each different PRS signal. In thismanner the most effective receiving beam may be identified for eachtransmission beam used by the BS to transmit the PRS. However, thisprocess can be very time consuming, as multiple repetitions of each PRSmay be needed to trial the full range of UE receiving beams, and asmentioned above, the repetition period for PRS tends to be relativelylong. In addition, it is not possible for a UE to optimise itsprocessing configurations for the suppression of a particularinterfering signal, as the UE has no information about which BS beamsmay be used for interfering signals. The UE can only seek to optimisesignal enhancement for potential data signals that might be transmittedon any of the BS beams used to transmit the PRS.

CSI-RS transmissions do not offer a reliable alternative to PRStransmissions for UE beamforming, as the BS beams used to transmitCSI-RS are not known to the UE, and may not be used by the BS for futuredata transmissions. As mentioned above, CSI-RS are often used by the BSto scan over new BS beams, in an effort to identify new BS beams whichmay become stronger for a UE as it changes position. Receptionbeamforming on the basis of such beams is therefore of very limitedvalue.

DMRS transmissions are not appropriate for UE beamforming, owing to theimportance of ensuring that the control data accompanying these signalsis received by the UE. If a UE beam with unknown properties is used toreceive the DMRS, the corresponding data or control information may belost if the UE beam turns out to be ill adapted to the BS beam used fortransmission of the DMRS. Such losses may result in an unacceptabledegradation of overall performance.

It will be appreciated from the above discussion that multiplechallenges remain to be addressed in the optimisation of processingconfigurations for the selective enhancement of radio signals exchangedin a communication network.

The above discussion addresses BS and UE beamforming in the DLdirection. However, it will be appreciated that similar processes andchallenges may be encountered in the UL direction, with transmissionbeamforming taking place in the UE and reception beamforming takingplace in the BS. UE transmission beamforming may be determined based onmeasurements made in the DL, as the directional aspects of the radiopropagation properties are often similar between UL and DL. Thus, UEbeamforming measurements can be made on DL reference signals such asPRS, and these measurements may be used to select a suitable beamformingfor the UL, i.e. for UE transmission beamforming.

SUMMARY

It is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a method and apparatuswhich obviate or reduce at least one or more of the disadvantagesmentioned above.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda method, performed in a User Equipment (UE), for facilitating theestablishing of a UE processing configuration for the selectiveenhancement of radio signals received or transmitted by the UE. Themethod comprises receiving from a Transmission Point of a wirelessnetwork an indication that an identified reference signal is usable bythe UE for establishing a UE processing configuration, and receiving theidentified reference signal from a Transmission Point of the wirelessnetwork.

According to examples of the disclosure, the identified reference signalmay be received from at least one of the Transmission Point from whichthe indication was received, or another Transmission Point within thewireless network.

According to examples of the disclosure, the method may further compriseidentifying a UE processing configuration that is adapted to acharacteristic of the identified reference signal, and using theidentified UE processing configuration to perform at least one oftransmitting or receiving radio signals, wherein identifying a UEprocessing configuration that is adapted to a characteristic of theidentified reference signal comprises identifying a UE processingconfiguration that selectively enhances the identified reference signal.

According to examples of the disclosure, the characteristic of theidentified reference signal may determine an effect of the UE processingconfiguration.

According to examples of the disclosure, the characteristic of theidentified reference signal may be determined by a processingconfiguration used by the wireless network in transmitting the referencesignal via the Transmission Point.

According to examples of the disclosure, the UE processing configurationmay comprise a configuration of elements in at least one of atransmitting or receiving unit in the UE.

According to examples of the disclosure, the UE processing configurationmay comprise at least one of a radio frequency, intermediate frequencyor baseband processing configuration or a digital processingconfiguration.

According to examples of the disclosure, the UE processing configurationmay comprise a beamforming configuration, which may for example be ananalog or a digital beamforming configuration.

According to examples of the disclosure, identifying a UE processingconfiguration that selectively enhances the identified reference signalmay comprise iteratively testing UE processing configurations forreception of the identified reference signal.

According to examples of the disclosure, identifying a UE processingconfiguration that selectively enhances the identified reference signalmay comprise retrieving context information for the reception of theidentified reference signal, inputting the retrieved context informationto a selection algorithm, receiving a suggested UE processingconfiguration from the selection algorithm, and testing the suggested UEprocessing configuration for reception of the identified referencesignal.

According to examples of the disclosure, identifying a UE processingconfiguration that selectively enhances the identified reference signalmay comprise selecting a UE processing configuration which the UE haspreviously used for receiving the identified reference signal andoptimising the selected UE processing configuration to increase theselective enhancement of the identified reference signal.

According to examples of the disclosure, identifying a UE processingconfiguration that selectively enhances the identified reference signalmay comprise assessing, for the identified reference signal receivedwith a UE processing configuration, at least one of signal strength,noise, interference strength, estimated bit rate that could be achievedfor data transmission, and/or signal quality.

According to examples of the disclosure, receiving an indication that anidentified reference signal is usable by the UE for establishing a UEprocessing configuration may comprise receiving a message containing anidentification of the reference signal and the indication that theidentified reference signal is usable for establishing a UE processingconfiguration.

According to examples of the disclosure, the message may comprise aMeasurement Grant Message or a Configuration Message, and optionally,the indication may comprise a flag.

According to examples of the disclosure, the method may further comprisereceiving an indication that a plurality of identified reference signalsis usable by the UE for establishing a UE processing configuration, andreceiving the plurality of identified reference signals from aTransmission Point, wherein each of the plurality of identifiedreference signal comprises a different characteristic.

According to examples of the disclosure, identifying a UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to a characteristic of the identifiedreference signal may comprise at least one of identifying a UEprocessing configuration that is adapted to the characteristics of atleast a majority of the plurality of identified reference signals, oridentifying a first UE processing configuration that is adapted to acharacteristic of at least one of the plurality of identified referencesignals and identifying a second UE processing configuration that isadapted to a characteristic of another of the plurality of identifiedreference signals.

According to examples of the disclosure, the indication may include adesignation of at least one reference signal as usable for establishinga reception UE processing configuration and a designation of at leastone reference signal as usable for establishing a transmission UEprocessing configuration. According to such examples, identifying a UEprocessing configuration that is adapted to a characteristic of theidentified reference signal may comprise identifying a reception UEprocessing configuration that is adapted to a characteristic of thereference signal usable for establishing a reception UE processingconfiguration, and identifying a transmission UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to a characteristic of the referencesignal usable for establishing a transmission UE processingconfiguration.

According to examples of the disclosure, the indication may include adesignation of at least one reference signal as a data reference signaland a designation of at least one reference signal as an interferencereference signal. According to such examples, identifying a UEprocessing configuration that is adapted to a characteristic of theidentified reference signal may comprise identifying a UE processingconfiguration that selectively enhances a data signal and selectivelyattenuates an interference signal when the data signal is transmittedwith the characteristic of the data reference signal and theinterference signal is transmitted with the characteristic of theinterference reference signal.

According to examples of the disclosure, the UE may comprise at leasttwo receiving units, and identifying a UE processing configuration thatis adapted to a characteristic of the identified reference signal maycomprise identifying a first UE processing configuration of the firstreceiving unit, and a second UE processing configuration of the secondreceiving unit, which UE processing combinations in combinationselectively enhance the identified reference signal, or plurality ofidentified reference signals. The receiving units may for example becomponent parts of transceiver units or other interface units, or may bededicated receiving units.

According to examples of the disclosure, the method may further compriseassembling a measurement report for each of the received identifiedreference signals or a combination of the received identified referencesignals, and sending the measurement reports to a Transmission Point ofthe wireless network.

According to examples of the disclosure, the method may further compriseassembling a candidate set of reference signals on the basis of themeasurement reports, and identifying a UE processing configuration thatis adapted to a characteristic of the identified reference signal maycomprise identifying a UE processing configuration that is adapted to acharacteristic of at least one of the reference signals of the candidateset.

According to examples of the disclosure, the reference signal maycomprise at least one of a Permanent Reference Signal, PRS, or a ChannelState Information Reference Signal, CSI-RS.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda method, performed in a wireless network, for facilitating theestablishment, in a User Equipment (UE), of a UE processingconfiguration for the selective enhancement of radio signals received ortransmitted by the UE. The method comprises selecting a reference signalusable by the UE for establishing the UE processing configuration, andselecting a wireless network processing configuration for sending theselected reference signal to the UE via a Transmission Point, of thewireless network, wherein the wireless network processing configurationimparts a characteristic to the reference signal. The method furthercomprises sending to the UE an indication that the selected referencesignal is usable by the UE for establishing the UE processingconfiguration, and sending the selected reference signal to the UE usingthe selected wireless network processing configuration.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda User Equipment (UE) configured to establish a UE processingconfiguration for the selective enhancement of radio signals received ortransmitted by the UE. The UE comprises a receiving unit configured toreceive from a Transmission Point of a wireless network an indicationthat an identified reference signal is usable by the UE for establishinga UE processing configuration, and to receive the identified referencesignal from a Transmission Point of the wireless network.

According to examples of the disclosure, the UE further comprises anidentifying unit configured to identify a UE processing configurationthat is adapted to a characteristic of the identified reference signal,and a processing unit configured to use the identified UE processingconfiguration to perform at least one of transmitting or receiving radiosignals. The identifying unit may be configured to identify a UEprocessing configuration that is adapted to a characteristic of theidentified reference signal by identifying a UE processing configurationthat selectively enhances the identified reference signal.

According to examples of the disclosure, the receiving unit may compriseat least one antenna and at least one signal processing unit configuredto process signals received by the antenna, and the UE processingconfiguration may comprise a configuration of at least one of theantenna or the signal processing unit.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda wireless network entity configured to facilitate the establishment, ina User Equipment (UE) of a UE processing configuration for the selectiveenhancement of radio signals received or transmitted by the UE. Thewireless network entity comprises a reference signal unit configured toselect a reference signal usable by the UE for establishing the UEprocessing configuration. The wireless network entity also comprises aprocessing configuration unit configured to select a wireless networkprocessing configuration for sending the selected reference signal tothe UE via a Transmission Point, of the wireless network, wherein thewireless network processing configuration imparts a characteristic tothe reference signal. The wireless network entity also comprises atransmission unit configured to send to the UE an indication that theselected reference signal is usable by the UE for establishing the UEprocessing configuration, and to send the selected reference signal tothe UE using the selected wireless network processing configuration.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda User Equipment (UE) configured to establish a UE processingconfiguration for the selective enhancement of radio signals received ortransmitted by the UE. The UE comprises a processor and a memory, thememory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby theUE is operative to receive from a Transmission Point of a wirelessnetwork an indication that an identified reference signal is usable bythe UE for establishing a UE processing configuration, and receive theidentified reference signal from a Transmission Point of the wirelessnetwork.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda wireless network entity configured to facilitate the establishment, ina User Equipment, UE of a UE processing configuration for the selectiveenhancement of radio signals received or transmitted by the UE. Thewireless network entity comprises a processor and a memory, the memorycontaining instructions executable by the processor whereby the wirelessnetwork entity is operative to select a reference signal usable by theUE for establishing the UE processing configuration, select a wirelessnetwork processing configuration for sending the selected referencesignal to the UE via a Transmission Point of the wireless network,wherein the wireless network processing configuration imparts acharacteristic to the reference signal, send to the UE an indicationthat the selected reference signal is usable by the UE for establishingthe UE processing configuration, and send the selected reference signalto the UE using the selected wireless network processing configuration.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out amethod according to wither of the first two aspects of the presentdisclosure.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda carrier containing a computer program according to the precedingaspect of the present disclosure, the carrier comprising an electronicsignal, an optical signal, a radio signal or a computer readable storagemedium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present disclosure, and to show moreclearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made,by way of example, to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating process steps in a method performedin a UE for facilitating the establishing of a UE processingconfiguration for the selective enhancement of radio signals received ortransmitted by the UE;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating sub-steps that may be included inthe method of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating process steps in another example ofa method performed in a UE for facilitating the establishing of a UEprocessing configuration for the selective enhancement of radio signalsreceived or transmitted by the UE;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating process steps in a method performedin a wireless network for facilitating the establishment in a UE of a UEprocessing configuration for the selective enhancement of radio signalsreceived or transmitted by the UE;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating functional units in a UE;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating functional units in a wirelessnetwork;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating functional units in anotherexample of UE; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating functional units in anotherexample of wireless network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods according to which awireless network provides to a UE an indication that an identifiedreference signal is usable by the UE for establishing a UE processingconfiguration for the selective enhancement of radio signals. The UEthen receives the identified reference signal, and may use the referencesignal to establish a UE processing configuration. The UE processingconfiguration or the selective enhancement of radio signals may in someexamples provide for beamforming of a receive beam. This may enablefocussing a receiver of the UE, for example using a plurality of antennaelements, to amplify or select a transmission received from a particulardirection, for example, the direction from which the reference signal istransmitted. The UE receives an indication that a particular referencesignal is suitable for configuring the UE, e.g. the network node will beusing the same beam configuration for future transmissions to the UE.Thus, the UE is informed by the indication that the particular referencesignal, and not merely that type of reference signal, can be used as abasis for carrying out configuration (e.g. receive beamformingconfiguration) of the UE. A reference signal carried by a different beammay not be suitable for UE configuration, and so may not be indicated assuitable for use in UE configuration.

Selective enhancement of radio signals involves the amplification of atargeted signal, possibly in the presence of other non-targeted signals.In a transmission situation, this may involve amplifying a transmittedsignal in a certain direction or combination of directions, whileattenuating the transmitted signal in other directions. In a receptionsituation, this may involve amplifying a received signal and attenuatingany interfering signals which may also be present. Selective enhancementmay be accomplished in a variety of different ways. One example isbeamforming, e.g. analog or digital beamforming, as discussed above. Thebeamforming may include the selective combination or processing of radiosignals in a phased array antenna so as to amplify a signal transmittedto or received from a certain well defined direction, and to attenuatesignals transmitted to or received from other directions. This allowsfor selection of signals received only from a configured direction. Infurther examples, other cases of linear spatial processing may be usedto achieve selective enhancement of radio signals, for example throughtransmitter precoding, such as zero-forcing precoding or maximum ratiotransmission, or receiver antenna combining, including maximum ratiocombining or interference rejection combining. Adaptive linear filteringin the digital or analog domain may also be used to achieve selectiveenhancement of radio signals, such as zero forcing equalization orminimum mean square error equalization, as may adaptive space-timeprecoding. Further examples may be envisaged according to which theselective enhancement of radio signals may be achieved.

The UE processing configuration to be established by the UE may thuscomprise a configuration of elements in at least one of a transmittingor receiving unit or a transceiver of the UE, including for exampleconfiguration of one or more antennas, pre- and/or post-coding units,pre- or post-processing units, antenna combining units, adaptivefiltering, adaptive space time precoding etc. The UE processingconfiguration may for example be a beamforming configuration forreception or transmission beamforming of radio signals. In furtherexamples, the UE processing configuration may be a configuration ofelements for achieving the selective enhancement of a received signal inother ways, including a configuration for linear spatial processing,adaptive linear filtering, adaptive uplink space-time precoding, etc.Following receipt of the indication from the wireless network, and theidentified reference signal, the UE may establish a UE processingconfiguration using the identified reference signal and may use theestablished processing configuration for selective enhancement ofreceived or transmitted signals. For example the UE may use theestablished UE processing configuration to amplify a received signal inthe DL while seeking to attenuate any interfering signals which may bepresent. Alternatively, the UE may use the established UE processingconfiguration for selective enhancement of a transmitted signal in theUL, for example amplifying the transmitted signal in a particulardirection, or combination of directions, while seeking to attenuate thesignal in other directions. In some examples, the UE may use theidentified UE processing configuration for both transmission andreception of radio signals. In other examples, different configurationsmay be established and used by the UE for reception and transmission.

In some examples of the disclosure, the reference signal indicated tothe UE may be a CSI-RS reference signal, and the indication may beincluded in a modified measurement grant message or configurationmessage. The modified measurement grant message may include not only anidentification of the CSI-RS that will be sent to the UE, but also theindication that the UE should use the CSI-RS to establish a UEprocessing configuration for the selective enhancement of radio signals.The indication may comprise a flag within the message, or may comprisemore detailed information regarding how the CSI-RS may be used by theUE. For example, the indication may indicate to the UE, or beinterpreted by the UE, that the CSI-RS is usable by the UE to establisha UE processing configuration specifically for UE transmission, or forUE reception. In further examples, the indication may indicate that theCSI-RS will be used for sending future data transmissions to the UE, orwill be used to send signals which are not intended for current usage bythat UE or are likely to interfere with the reception of datatransmissions to the UE. By providing to the UE an indication of areference signal that the UE should use (or not use) for establishing aUE processing configuration, aspects of the present disclosure enablethe UE to focus efforts to establish a UE processing configuration ononly the reference signal or signals indicated by the wireless network.Instead, for example, of attempting to establish a UE processingconfiguration adapted to enhance each of the reference signals receivedby the UE, the UE may use its processing power and time to establish aUE processing configuration that is adapted to enhance only theindicated reference signal or signals.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first example method 100, performed in a UE, forestablishing a UE processing configuration for the selective enhancementof radio signals received or transmitted by the UE. The UE may be a UserEquipment, as defined for example in various 3GPP standards documents,or may be any other type of wireless terminal, wireless device, mobiledevice, machine device, mobile station, phone, tablet computer etc.Referring to FIG. 1, in a first step 110, the UE receives from aTransmission Point (TP) of a wireless network an indication that anidentified reference signal is usable by the UE for establishing a UEprocessing configuration. The TP may for example be a Radio BaseStation, such as a NodeB or eNodeB. In other examples, the TP may be aRemote Radio Head or other distributed physical entity capable oftransmitting signals from the wireless network.

In some examples of the method 100, step 110 may be accomplished byreceiving a message containing the indication, which message may forexample be a measurement grant message or configuration message, asillustrated at step 110 a. In such examples, the reference signalindicated to the UE may be a CSI-RS signal, and the measurement grant orconfiguration message may include an identification of the CSI-RS signalas well as the indication that the identified CSI-RS signal is usable bythe UE for establishing its UE processing configuration. The indicationmay in some examples be a flag, which flag may be set in the messageonly if the CSI-RS identified in the message is usable by the UE forestablishing its UE processing configuration. In further examples, theindication may include more detailed information, for example, inexamples in which more than one processing configuration is establishedin the UE. Such examples are discussed in further detail with referenceto FIG. 3 below. In still further examples, another control message maybe used, for example if the identified reference signal is a PRS orother reference signal.

Following receipt of the indication in step 110, the UE then receivesthe identified reference signal from a TP of the wireless network. TheTP from which the UE receives a reference signal may be same TP fromwhich the UE received the indication, or may be a different TP. Thewireless network may select an appropriate TP for the transmission ofthe indication and reference signal or signals according tocircumstances and priorities within the wireless network. The referencesignal may be a CSI-RS, a PRS or another reference signal type. Havingreceived both the indication and the reference signal, the UE is then ina position to establish a UE processing configuration, as discussedbelow.

On receiving the identified reference signal in step 120, the UE maythen proceed to identify a UE processing configuration that is adaptedto a characteristic of the identified reference signal in step 130. Acharacteristic may include any aspect or feature of the reference signalwhich determines the manner in which the reference signal is affected byreception at the UE with different UE processing configurations. Thecharacteristic thus determines which UE processing configurations willbe most effective for receiving the reference signal. One example of acharacteristic may be a direction or combination of directions fromwhich the reference signal is received. Another example characteristicmay be the particular pattern of amplification experienced by thereference signal as a result of selective enhancement applied by thetransmitting side. This may include an amplification pattern as a resultof linear spatial processing, adaptive linear filtering, adaptivespace-time precoding, etc. In some examples, the characteristic of theidentified reference signal is a beamforming configuration. Thebeamforming configuration determines the direction and/or spread of thetransmitted beam comprising the identified reference signal.

The reference signal will have been transmitted by the wireless networkvia the TP using a particular processing configuration of the wirelessnetwork, which processing configuration may include the choice of TPfrom which to transmit the signal, as well as different configurationoptions for a range of any or all entities involved in the preparationand transmission of the signal, and which may result in selectiveenhancement of the signal. Such configuration options may includeantenna selection, antenna combining, pre- and post-processing elementconfiguration etc. The wireless network processing configuration maythus involve configuration of a range of different physical and/orvirtual elements, depending upon the nature and organisation of thewireless network. For example, signal processing may be conducted at acentralised element under control of a virtualised network function,with additional processing and transmission taking place at a remoteTransmission Point, which may be one of several transmission pointsunder the control of the processing elements. In one example of thedisclosure, the processing configuration of the wireless network maycomprise a beamforming processing configuration, such that the referencesignal is transmitted using a particular transmission beam.

The wireless network processing configuration imparts the characteristicto the reference signal which means the signal will be affected indifferent ways by different UE processing configurations used by the UEto receive the signal. A UE processing configuration that is adapted tothe characteristic of the reference signal is a UE processingconfiguration that selectively enhances the reference signal, andconsequently will selectively enhance any signal transmitted by thewireless network with the same or similar characteristic, that is usingthe same or similar wireless network configuration as was used for thetransmission of the reference signal. Identifying a UE processingconfiguration that is adapted, or “matched” to the characteristic of thereference signal thus comprises identifying a UE processingconfiguration that selectively enhances the identified reference signalin step 140. For example, the UE processing configuration may be a UEbeamforming configuration. The UE beamforming configuration selectivelyreceives or weights transmissions from a particular direction and/orspread, to enhance the receiving of the transmission beam comprising thereference signals indicated as useable for UE selective enhancement. Insuch examples, a UE processing configuration that is adapted to acharacteristic of the reference signal is a UE beamforming configurationthat results in a UE receiving beam which is matched to the transmissionbeam used to transmit the reference signal, selectively amplifying thereference signal as transmitted using the transmission beam.

If the UE can identify a UE processing configuration that selectivelyenhances the identified reference signal, then the UE may be confidentthat the identified UE processing configuration will also selectivelyenhance other signals having the same characteristic imparted by thewireless processing configuration used to transmit the reference signal.The UE may then use this identified processing configuration forreception or transmission of radio signals in step 150.

In some examples, the UE may use the identified UE processingconfiguration to receive later data signals sent by the wireless networkusing the same wireless network processing configuration as was used bythe wireless network to send the identified reference signal. In someexamples, the wireless network (e.g. a base station) uses the same beamas indicated as usable by the UE for establishing a UE processingconfiguration (e.g. beam) for future transmissions and/or reception. TheUE may use the determined UE processing configuration (e.g. UE beam) fortransmission and/or reception. In some examples, the UE may use theidentified UE processing configuration for transmission of data signalsto the wireless network, for example if the wireless network processingconfiguration was equivalent to a processing configuration that thewireless network will use to receive data from the UE. The UE may beguided in its use of the identified UE processing configuration by theindication received in step 110. In further examples, the UE may receivean additional configuration message instructing the UE to use theidentified UE processing configuration for future reception and/ortransmission operations.

In some examples of the disclosure, a UE performing the method of FIG. 1may comprise multiple receiving units, each of which may be configuredin a UE processing configuration for the reception of the identifiedreference signal. In such examples, the UE may identify multiple UEprocessing configurations, one for each of the receiving units, and theUE may select an optimal combination of the multiple UE processingconfigurations for the selective enhancement of the identified referencesignal.

FIG. 2 illustrates a range of sub-steps, some or all of which may beconducted by the UE as part of the process of identifying 140 a UEprocessing configuration that selectively enhances the identifiedreference signal, according to different examples of the method 100.Referring to FIG. 2, in a first example sub-step 142, the UE mayiteratively test different UE processing configurations for reception ofthe identified reference signal. In some examples, the iterative testingmay be performed over several occurrences of reference signalstransmitted from the TP. For example, the UE may attempt to evaluateonly one UE processing configuration for each transmitted referencesignal, so that an optimally adapted UE processing configuration isachieved after multiple reference signals have been transmitted.

In a second example sub-step 144, the UE may retrieve contextinformation for the reception of the identified reference signal, inputthe retrieved context information to a selection algorithm, receive asuggested UE processing configuration from the selection algorithm, andtest the suggested UE processing configuration for reception of theidentified reference signal. The context information may for example bepositional information of the UE, for example with reference to the TP.The selection algorithm may convert such positional information into asuggested processing configuration by hypothesising from which directionor directions the identified reference signal is likely to be received,and suggesting a UE processing configuration that will selectivelyenhance signals received from the hypothesised direction or directions.The UE may then iteratively test the suggested processing configurationfor reception of the identified reference signal, or may assess orsearch in some other way for a UE processing configuration that isadapted to the characteristic of the identified reference signal. The UEmay use the suggested processing configuration as a starting point fortesting, or may limit its testing to only processing configurationswithin a certain margin of the suggested processing configuration. Otherexamples of context information indicating that a UE should favour aparticular direction or suggested UE processing configuration may beenvisaged.

In a third example sub-step 146, the UE may select a UE processingconfiguration which the UE has previously used for receiving theindicated reference signal, and may optimise the selected UE processingconfiguration to increase the selective enhancement of the indicatedreference signal. This sub-step may be particularly appropriate forexample if the identified reference signal is a PRS. In such asituation, the UE may already have received the identified PRS as one ofthe multiple PRS that are periodically transmitted by the wirelessnetwork using different wireless network processing configurationsresulting in different signal characteristics. The UE may therefore havealready performed initial steps to identify a UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to the characteristic of the identifiedPRS, for example as part of a UE beamforming process discussed above. Onreceiving the indication that a particular identified PRS should be usedby the UE to identify a UE processing configuration, the UE maytherefore retrieve the processing configuration that it previouslyidentified, and may refine and optimise the previously identifiedprocessing configuration.

Referring again to FIG. 2, sub-step 148 illustrates some examples of howthe UE may assess potential UE processing configurations in order toidentify a UE processing configuration that selectively enhances theidentified reference signal. In examples of the disclosure, the UE mayassess any one or combination of: received signal power or strength,noise, interference strength of interfering signals, estimated bit ratethat could be achieved for data transmission and/or signal quality. Anyone or combination of these factors may be given greater or lesserweight, for example depending on the nature of the indication providedto the UE in step 110. For example, if the indication informed the UEthat the identified reference signal is usable for establishing a UEprocessing configuration for transmission, then both received signalpower and estimated bit rate that could be achieved for datatransmission may be of greater importance in identifying an adapted UEprocessing configuration. In the presence of particularly stronginterfering signals, interference strength may take precedence. Thus themanner in which potential UE processing configurations are assessed maybe guided by the particular transmission and reception circumstances andpriorities.

In some examples of the disclosure, the method 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 maybe performed over a limited period of time, after which the establishedUE processing configuration may be used by the UE for transmissionand/or reception of radio signals. In such examples, the identifiedreference signal may be received over a sufficiently long time orsufficiently many repetitions to allow the UE to iteratively orotherwise test a number of potential UE processing configurations inorder to identify a processing configuration that selectively enhancesthe identified reference signal. In other examples, the method 100 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 may be performed by the UE substantially in parallel withdata transmissions and/or receptions to and from the wireless network.In this manner, the established UE processing configuration may becontinually refined and updated as conditions for the UE evolve.

As mentioned above, in some examples of the disclosure, the UE mayreceive an indication that more than one identified reference signal isusable by the UE to establish a UE processing configuration, and the UEmay subsequently receive the more than one reference signals.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example method 200 in which an indicationconcerning a plurality of identified reference signals is received bythe UE. FIG. 3 illustrates one example of how the steps in the method100 may be subdivided, supplemented and/or enhanced to provide the abovediscussed and additional functionality.

Referring to FIG. 3, in a first step 210, the UE receives an indicationof a plurality of identified reference signals that are usable by the UEfor establishing a UE processing configuration. As discussed above, theindication may be received as part of a message, for example ameasurement grant or configuration message. The indication may be a flagincluded in the message or may provide additional information concerningthe identified reference signals. In one example, illustrated as step210 a, the indication may designate one reference signal as usable bythe UE for establishing a UE reception processing configuration, andanother reference signal as usable by the UE for establishing a UEtransmission configuration. The UE may thus assume that future datatransmissions to the UE will have a same or similar characteristic tothat of the first reference signal, for example as a consequence of asame or similar processing configuration used by the wireless network tosend the future data signals. Based on the indication that the referencesignal is useable for UE configuration, the UE uses only such areference signal to determine a receive and/or transmissionconfiguration, e.g. a beamforming configuration. A reference signalwhich does not have the indication of being useable by the UE forconfiguration, or which has an indication of not being useable by the UEfor configuration, is not used by the UE for receive and/or transmissionconfiguration.

Similarly, the UE may assume that an equivalent reception processingconfiguration to that used by the wireless network to transmit thesecond reference signal will be used by the wireless network to receivefuture data transmissions from the UE. In another example, illustratedas step 210 b, the indication may designate one reference signal asbeing representative of a data reference signal, and another referencesignal as being representative of an interference signal. The UE maythus assume that future data transmissions will have a similarcharacteristic to the data reference signal, and future transmissionsthat risk causing interference to the UE will have a similarcharacteristic to that of the interference reference signal. The UE maythus in later steps seek to identify a UE processing configuration thatspecifically attenuates the interference reference signal, whileamplifying the reference data signal, as discussed in further detailbelow. In still further examples, the indication may not specifyparticular reference signals for particular purposes, but may forexample indicate that future data transmissions to the UE will have somesubset of the characteristics of the identified reference signals.

Following reception of the indication in step 210, the UE then receivesthe plurality of identified reference signals in step 220, each of theplurality of reference signals comprising a different characteristic. Insome examples of the method 200, the UE may then assemble a measurementreport for each of the received reference signals in step 222, and sendthe assembled measurement reports to the wireless network in step 226.The measurement reports may indicate to the wireless network thestrength with which the various different reference signals werereceived by the UE, and may thus assist the wireless network withselection of its own processing configurations. The UE may also assemblea candidate set of the identified received reference signals in step 224on the basis of the assembled measurement reports. The candidate set mayinclude one or more reference signals. A criterion for inclusion of asignal in the candidate set may for example be the signal strength withwhich the reference signal was received by the UE, as illustrated atstep 224 a. Another criterion may be a hypothesis formed by the UE as tothe highest bit rate that may be achieved with one or a combination ofreference signals. The UE may then hypothesise that future datatransmissions to the UE will have characteristics of reference signalsin the candidate set, as these are most likely to be retained by thewireless network for future data transmissions, and the UE may thuslimit its efforts to identify a UE processing configuration to onlythose reference signals included in the candidate set, as illustrated insteps 240 ai and 240 bi and discussed below. The UE may include thecandidate set, and/or the criterion used to assemble the candidate setwith the measurement reports that it sends to the wireless network, asshown in step 226 a, allowing the wireless network to take thisinformation into account in selecting its transmission processingconfigurations for future use.

Although the assembling and sending of measurement reports is describedabove in the context of a plurality of received reference signals inexample method 200, it will be appreciated that a measurement report mayalso be assembled and sent as part of the method 100, in examples inwhich only a single reference signal is received by the UE. Thismeasurement report may contain more detailed information about thesingle reference signal than would be included in measurement reportsfor multiple reference signals.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the UE may then take various alternativesteps to identify a UE processing configuration, according to the natureof the indication received, the nature of the UE and its number ofreceiving units, and the current circumstances for the UE. Two examplesteps are shown in FIG. 3 for the purposes of illustration only. In afirst example step, 240 a, the UE may identify a UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to the characteristics of at least amajority of the plurality of indicated reference signals. As discussedabove, the UE may limit the reference signals to only signals of thecandidate set, as shown in step 240 ai, and may seek to identify a UEprocessing configuration, or combination of UE processing configurationsif the UE has multiple receiving units, that provides the bestcompromise in selective enhancement of the plurality of receivedreference signals.

In examples in which the indication designated a first reference signalas a data reference signal and a second reference signal as aninterference reference signal (step 210 b), the UE may seek to identifya UE processing configuration, or combination of processingconfigurations, that selectively enhances a data signal and selectivelyattenuates an interference signal when the data signal is transmittedwith the characteristic of the data reference signal and theinterference signal is transmitted with the characteristic of theinterference reference signal, as illustrated in step 240 aii. In thismanner, the UE may identify a UE processing configuration thatspecifically attenuates a signal that the wireless network hasidentified as being likely to cause interference to the UE in thereception or transmission of future data transmissions.

In a second example step 240 b, the UE may identify a first UEprocessing configuration that is adapted to a characteristic of at leastone of the plurality of indicated reference signals, and identify asecond UE processing configuration that is adapted to a characteristicof another of the plurality of indicated reference signals. Aspreviously, the UE may limit to consideration only of those referencesignals in the candidate set, as shown in step 240 bi. In examples inwhich the indication designated one reference signal as usable by the UEfor establishing a UE reception processing configuration, and anotherreference signal as usable by the UE for establishing a UE transmissionconfiguration, the identified UE processing configuration adapted to acharacteristic of the first reference signal may be used by the UE as areception processing configuration. The identified UE processingconfiguration adapted to a characteristic of the second reference signalmay be used by the UE as a transmission processing configuration, asshown in step 240 bii. In a further example, the first identified UEprocessing configuration may be for a first receiving unit of the UE,and the second identified UE processing configuration may be for asecond receiving unit of the UE, as shown in step 240 biii. In furtherexamples, at least some of the plurality of reference signals may beaccompanied by an identifier, and the UE may store the identified UEprocessing configuration for each reference signal with the appropriateidentifier. In this manner if the UE is later notified of a particularidentifier, the UE may use the UE processing configuration stored withthat identifier for subsequent data reception or transmission.

Following identification of the one or more UE processing configurationsor combination of processing configurations in step 240 a or 240 b, theUE may then proceed to use the identified UE processing configurationsfor transmission and/or reception in a step 250 (not shown).

In some examples of the disclosure, the wireless network may initiatemultiple instances of the method 100 and/or 200, and may assign aprocess identifier to each instance. The instances may vary for examplein the wireless network processing configuration(s) used to transmit theidentified reference signal(s) and hence in the reference signalcharacteristics, or in the indication provided to the UE concerning theuse of certain signals as representative of data or interferencesignals. The UE may establish a UE processing configuration orconfigurations as a consequence of each instance of the method 100 or200 and may store the established configuration, configurations orcombination of configurations along with the process identifier assignedby the wireless network. The wireless network may then signal a processidentifier to the UE prior to a future transmission or reception,allowing the UE to retrieve the stored UE processing configuration(s) orcombination of configurations corresponding to the process identifierand to use the retrieved UE processing configuration(s) or combinationof configurations for the subsequent reception or transmission.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method 300, performed in a wirelessnetwork for facilitating the establishment in a UE of a UE processingconfiguration for the selective enhancement of radio signals received ortransmitted by the UE. Referring to FIG. 4, the method 300 comprises afirst step 310 of selecting a reference signal or signals usable by theUE for establishing the UE processing configuration. The referencesignal(s) may for example be CSI-RS or PRS, as illustrated in step 310a, or may be another type of reference signal. The wireless network mayconfigure the reference signals based on a number of input parameters asshown in step 310 b. The input parameters may include, for example,radio propagation, mobility of the UE, the number and characteristics ofavailable UE processing configurations, the estimated UE speed, systemload and/or performance requirements, for example in terms of coverage.The wireless network then selects one or more wireless networkprocessing configurations for sending the selected reference signal(s)to the UE via a TP of the wireless network in step 320. The selectedwireless network processing configuration(s) impart a characteristic toeach reference signal, and may have the effect of selectively enhancingthe reference signals. The wireless network may select a single wirelessnetwork processing configuration or a plurality of wireless networkprocessing configurations, and may for example select a wireless networkprocessing configuration that will be used for the transmission orreception of data signals to/from the UE, or for the transmission orreception of data signals that risk to cause interference to the UE.Alternatively the wireless network may select a plurality of wirelessnetwork processing configurations that are candidates for use in laterdata transmissions to/from the UE. As discussed above, a wirelessnetwork processing configuration may include both a choice ofTransmission Point for the relevant reference signal, and configurationoptions for transmission elements involved in the preparation andtransmission of the selected reference signal, including configurationof antenna selection, combining, signal pre- and post-processing etc.The wireless network processing configuration may thus involveconfiguration of a range of different physical and/or virtual elements,depending upon the nature and organisation of the wireless network. Insome examples of the disclosure, the wireless network configuration maycomprise a beamforming configuration.

After selecting the wireless network processing configuration andreference signal(s), the wireless network then proceeds, in step 330, tosend to the UE an indication that the selected reference signal(s)is/are usable by the UE for establishing the UE processingconfiguration. As discussed above, this may comprise for example sendinga message including an identification of the reference signal or signalsand the indication. The indication may be a flag or may contain moredetailed information, for example designating particular referencesignals for transmission or reception or as data or interferencereference signals. The message may for example be a measurement grant orconfiguration message, for example if the reference signal(s) is/areCSI-RS. In some aspects, the indication that the reference signalsshould be used by the UE for determining a UE processing configuration(e.g. beamforming) is additional to the identification of the referencesignal as a particular type of reference signal. For example, thereference signal may be identified as a type of reference signal by itsallocation of resources in a measurement grant or configuration message.Some reference signals of a particular type (e.g. CSI-RS) may be useableby the UE to set up the UE configuration, but some reference signals ofthat type may not be useable or suitable, e.g. to enable fast detectionof new beams(s) in case the UE is moving. The indication provides to theUE additional information that the reference signal is useable (isintended to be used) for UE configuration (e.g. UE receive beamforming).This indication is in addition to the identification of the type ofreference signal.

The wireless network then sends, in step 340, the selected referencesignal(s) to the UE using the selected wireless network processingconfiguration(s). The indication and reference signals may be sent usingthe same or different Transmission Points. The wireless network may thenproceed to use one or more of the selected wireless network processingconfigurations for the transmission and/or reception of data to/from theUE in step 350.

The method 300 may also comprise the steps of receiving measurementreports from the UE concerning the sent reference signals, and selectinga wireless network configuration for future use on the basis of themeasurement reports. The wireless network may also receive from the UE acandidate set, and/or criterion used by the UE to assemble the candidateset, and may take this into account in the selection of wireless networkprocessing configurations for future use.

As discussed above, the methods 100 and 200 may be carried out by a UE,which may for example be a User Equipment, as defined in various 3GPPstandards documents, or may be any other type of wireless terminal,wireless device, mobile device, machine device, mobile station, phone,tablet computer etc. The method 300 may be carried out by a wirelessnetwork entity, which may comprise one or more physical and/or virtualelements within the wireless network operating in cooperation. Examplesof such elements may include a NodeB, Radio Network Controller, eNodeB,active antenna, digital unit, baseband unit, Remote Radio Head,Virtualised Network Function (VNF), VNF for control of Radio AccessNetwork elements etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example UE 400 which may implement the methods100, 200 for example on receipt of suitable instructions from a computerprogram. Referring to FIG. 5, the UE 400 comprises a processor 401 and amemory 402. The memory 402 contains instructions executable by theprocessor 401 such that the UE 400 is operative to conduct some or allof the steps of the methods 100 and/or 200.

In some examples, a User Equipment, UE, is configured to establish a UEprocessing configuration for the selective enhancement of radio signalsreceived or transmitted by the UE. The UE comprises a processor and amemory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processorwhereby the UE is operative to implement the method of any example. Forexample, the UE is operative to receive from a Transmission Point of awireless network an indication that an identified reference signal isusable by the UE for establishing a UE processing configuration; andreceive the identified reference signal from a Transmission Point of thewireless network.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a wireless network entity 500, whichmay implement the method 300, for example on receipt of suitableinstructions from a computer program. Referring to FIG. 6, the wirelessnetwork entity 500 comprises a processor 501 and a memory 502. Thememory 502 contains instructions executable by the processor 501 suchthat the wireless network entity 500 is operative to conduct examples ofthe method 300.

In some examples, a wireless network entity is configured to facilitatethe establishment, in a User Equipment, UE of a UE processingconfiguration for the selective enhancement of radio signals received ortransmitted by the UE. The wireless network entity comprising aprocessor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable bythe processor whereby the wireless network entity is operative toimplement the method of any example. For example, the network entity isoperative to select a reference signal usable by the UE for establishingthe UE processing configuration; and select a wireless networkprocessing configuration for sending the selected reference signal tothe UE via a Transmission Point of the wireless network, wherein thewireless network processing configuration imparts a characteristic tothe reference signal. The entity is further operative to send to the UEan indication that the selected reference signal is usable by the UE forestablishing the UE processing configuration; and send the selectedreference signal to the UE using the selected wireless networkprocessing configuration.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative example of UE 600, which may implementthe methods 100, 200, for example on receipt of suitable instructionsfrom a computer program. It will be appreciated that the unitsillustrated in FIG. 7 may be realised in any appropriate combination ofhardware and/or software. For example, the units may comprise one ormore processors and one or more memories containing instructionsexecutable by the one or more processors. The units may be integrated toany degree. Referring to FIG. 7, the UE 600 comprises a receiving unit610 configured to receive from a TP of a wireless network an indicationthat an identified reference signal is usable by the UE for establishinga UE processing configuration, and to receive the identified referencesignal from a TP of the wireless network. The UE 600 may also comprisean identifying unit 620 configured to identify a UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to a characteristic of the identifiedreference signal, and a processing unit 630 configured to use theidentified UE processing configuration to perform at least one oftransmitting or receiving radio signals. The identifying unit 620 may beconfigured to identify a UE processing configuration that is adapted toa characteristic of the identified reference signal by identifying a UEprocessing configuration that selectively enhances the identifiedreference signal. In some examples of UE, the receiving unit 610 maycomprise at least one antenna and at least one signal processing unitconfigured to process signals received by the antenna, and the UEprocessing configuration may comprise a configuration of at least one ofthe antenna or the signal processing unit. In some examples, the UE maycomprise multiple antennas, which may for example be arranged to form aphased antenna array, and the UE processing configuration may comprise aconfiguration of the signal processing unit to combine elements of thephased antenna array such that at least one received signal experiencesconstructive interference.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative example of wireless network entity700, which may implement the method 300, for example on receipt ofsuitable instructions from a computer program. It will be appreciatedthat the units illustrated in FIG. 8 may be realised in any appropriatecombination of hardware and/or software. For example, the units maycomprise one or more processors and one or more memories containinginstructions executable by the one or more processors. The units may beintegrated to any degree.

Referring to FIG. 8, the wireless network entity comprises a referencesignal unit 710 configured to select a reference signal usable by the UEfor establishing the UE processing configuration. The wireless networkentity 700 also comprises a processing configuration unit 720 configuredto select a wireless network processing configuration for sending theselected reference signal to the UE via a TP of the wireless network,wherein the wireless network processing configuration imparts acharacteristic to the reference signal. The wireless network entity alsocomprises a transmission unit 730 configured to send to the UE anindication that the selected reference signal is usable by the UE forestablishing the UE processing configuration, and to send the selectedreference signal to the UE using the selected wireless networkprocessing configuration. In some examples of wireless network entity,the transmission unit 730 may be at least partially located within oneor more TPs, and may comprise at least one antenna and at least onesignal processing unit configured to process signals for delivery to theantenna, and the wireless network processing configuration may comprisea selection of a wireless network TP, a selection of an antenna and aconfiguration of at least one of the antenna or the signal processingunit. In some examples, the selected TP may comprise multiple antennas,which may for example be arranged to form a phased antenna array, andthe wireless network transmission processing configuration may comprisea configuration of the signal processing unit to process signals fordelivery to the phased antenna array such that at a transmitted signalexperiences constructive interference in at least one direction.

Aspects of the present disclosure thus provide methods and apparatusthat facilitate the establishing in a UE of a UE processingconfiguration for the selective enhancement of radio signals transmittedor received by the UE. A UE receives an indication from a wirelessnetwork that an identified reference signal is usable by the UE forestablishing a UE processing configuration. The UE need not thereforewaste time or resources using multiple PRS reference signals toestablish multiple UE processing configurations, but may focus on usingthe indicated reference signal. In addition, a wireless network mayoptimise the indicated reference signal for a particular UE. Forexample, if a UE is moving quickly then a wireless network may indicateand send one or more reference signals relatively often. In contrast, ifa UE is stationary, a wireless network may save resources by sendingonly very infrequent indications and reference signals. Thisoptimisation of reference signals for particular UEs offers considerableresource savings within the UE and wireless network.

The methods of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware, oras software modules running on one or more processors. The methods mayalso be carried out according to the instructions of a computer program,and the present disclosure also provides a computer readable mediumhaving stored thereon a program for carrying out any of the methodsdescribed herein. A computer program embodying the disclosure may bestored on a computer readable medium, or it could, for example, be inthe form of a signal such as a downloadable data signal provided from anInternet website, or it could be in any other form.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned examples illustrate ratherthan limit the disclosure, and that those skilled in the art will beable to design many alternative embodiments without departing from thescope of the appended claims. The word “comprising” does not exclude thepresence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim, “a” or“an” does not exclude a plurality, and a single processor or other unitmay fulfil the functions of several units recited in the claims. Anyreference signs in the claims shall not be construed so as to limittheir scope.

1-31. (canceled)
 32. A method, performed in a User Equipment (UE), forfacilitating the establishing of a UE processing configuration forselective enhancement of radio signals received or transmitted by theUE, the method comprising: receiving from a Transmission Point of awireless network, an indication that an identified reference signal isusable by the UE for establishing a UE processing configuration; andreceiving the identified reference signal from a Transmission Point ofthe wireless network.
 33. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein theidentified reference signal is received from at least one of: theTransmission Point from which the indication was received; and anotherTransmission Point within the wireless network.
 34. The method asclaimed in claim 32, further comprising: identifying a UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to a characteristic of the identifiedreference signal; and using the identified UE processing configurationto perform at least one of transmitting and receiving radio signals,wherein identifying the UE processing configuration that is adapted tothe characteristic of the identified reference signal comprisesidentifying a UE processing configuration that selectively enhances theidentified reference signal.
 35. The method as claimed in claim 34,wherein the characteristic of the identified reference signal determinesan effect of the identified UE processing configuration.
 36. The methodas claimed in claim 34, wherein the characteristic of the identifiedreference signal is determined by a processing configuration used by thewireless network in transmitting the identified reference signal via theTransmission Point.
 37. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein theidentified UE processing configuration comprises a configuration ofelements in at least one of a transmitting and a receiving unit in theUE.
 38. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the identified UEprocessing configuration comprises at least one of a radio frequency,intermediate frequency or baseband processing configuration or an analogor digital processing configuration.
 39. The method as claimed in claim34, wherein the identified UE processing configuration comprises abeamforming configuration.
 40. The method as claimed in claim 34,wherein identifying the UE processing configuration that selectivelyenhances the identified reference signal comprises iteratively testingUE processing configurations for reception of the identified referencesignal.
 41. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein identifying theUE processing configuration that selectively enhances the identifiedreference signal comprises: retrieving context information for thereception of the identified reference signal; inputting the retrievedcontext information to a selection algorithm; receiving a suggested UEprocessing configuration from the selection algorithm; and testing thesuggested UE processing configuration for reception of the identifiedreference signal.
 42. The method as claimed in claim 34, whereinidentifying the UE processing configuration that selectively enhancesthe identified reference signal comprises selecting a UE processingconfiguration that the UE has previously used for receiving theidentified reference signal and optimizing the selected UE processingconfiguration to increase the selective enhancement of the identifiedreference signal.
 43. The method as claimed in claim 34, whereinidentifying the UE processing configuration that selectively enhancesthe identified reference signal comprises assessing, for the identifiedreference signal received with a UE processing configuration, at leastone of: signal strength; noise; interference strength; an estimated bitrate that could be achieved for data transmission; and signal quality.44. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein receiving the indicationthat the identified reference signal is usable by the UE forestablishing a UE processing configuration comprises receiving a messagecontaining an identification of the reference signal and the indicationthat the identified reference signal is usable for establishing a UEprocessing configuration.
 45. The method as claimed in claim 44, whereinthe message comprises one of a Measurement Grant Message and aConfiguration Message.
 46. The method as claimed in claim 32, whereinreceiving the indication comprises receiving an indication that aplurality of identified reference signals is usable by the UE forestablishing a UE processing configuration, wherein receiving theidentified reference signal comprises receiving the plurality ofidentified reference signals from a Transmission Point, and wherein eachof the plurality of identified reference signals comprises a differentcharacteristic.
 47. The method as claimed in claim 46, furthercomprising: identifying a UE processing configuration that is adapted tocharacteristics of the plurality of identified reference signals,wherein identifying the UE processing configuration that is adapted tothe characteristics of the plurality of identified reference signalscomprises: identifying a UE processing configuration that selectivelyenhances the plurality of identified reference signals; and at least oneof: identifying a UE processing configuration that is adapted to thecharacteristics of at least a majority of the plurality of identifiedreference signals; and identifying a first UE processing configurationthat is adapted to a characteristic of at least one of the plurality ofidentified reference signals and identifying a second UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to a characteristic of another of theplurality of identified reference signals; and using the identified UEprocessing configuration to perform at least one of transmitting andreceiving radio signals.
 48. The method as claimed in claim 46, whereinthe indication includes a designation of at least one reference signalas usable for establishing a reception UE processing configuration and adesignation of at least one reference signal as usable for establishinga transmission UE processing configuration, and wherein the methodfurther comprises: identifying a UE processing configuration that isadapted to characteristics of the plurality of identified referencesignals, wherein identifying the UE processing configuration that isadapted to the characteristics of the plurality of identified referencesignals comprises: identifying a reception UE processing configurationthat is adapted to a characteristic of the reference signal usable forestablishing a reception UE processing configuration; and identifying atransmission UE processing configuration that is adapted to acharacteristic of the reference signal usable for establishing atransmission UE processing configuration; and using at least one of theidentified transmission UE processing configuration and the identifiedreception UE processing configuration to perform at least one oftransmitting and receiving radio signals.
 49. The method as claimed inclaim 46, wherein the indication includes a designation of at least onereference signal as a data reference signal and a designation of atleast one reference signal as an interference reference signal, andwherein the method further comprises: identifying a UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to characteristics of the plurality ofidentified reference signals, wherein identifying the UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to the characteristics of the plurality ofidentified reference signals comprises: identifying a UE processingconfiguration that selectively enhances a data signal and selectivelyattenuates an interference signal responsive to determining that thedata signal is transmitted with a characteristic of the data referencesignal and the interference signal is transmitted with a characteristicof the interference reference signal; and using the identified UEprocessing configuration to perform at least one of transmitting andreceiving radio signals.
 50. The method as claimed in claim 46, furthercomprising: assembling a measurement report for each of the receivedidentified reference signals or a combination of the received identifiedreference signals; and sending the measurement reports to a TransmissionPoint of the wireless network.
 51. The method as claimed in claim 50,further comprising: assembling a candidate set of reference signals onthe basis of the measurement reports; identifying a UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to a characteristic of the identifiedreference signal, wherein identifying the UE processing configurationthat is adapted to the characteristic of the identified reference signalcomprises identifying a UE processing configuration that is adapted to acharacteristic of at least one of the reference signals of the candidateset; and using the identified UE processing configuration to perform atleast one of transmitting and receiving radio signals.
 52. The method asclaimed in claim 32, further comprising: identifying a UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to a characteristic of the identifiedreference signal; and using the identified UE processing configurationto perform at least one of transmitting and receiving radio signals,wherein the UE comprises at least two receiving units, whereinidentifying the UE processing configuration that is adapted to thecharacteristic of the identified reference signal comprises identifyinga first UE processing configuration of the first receiving unit, and asecond UE processing configuration of the second receiving unit, andwherein the first and second UE processing configurations selectivelyenhance the identified reference signal.
 53. The method as claimed inclaim 32, wherein the reference signal comprises at least one of aPermanent Reference Signal (PRS) and a Channel State InformationReference Signal (CSI-RS).
 54. A method, performed in a wirelessnetwork, for facilitating the establishment, in a User Equipment (UE),of a UE processing configuration for the selective enhancement of radiosignals received or transmitted by the UE, the method comprising:selecting a reference signal usable by the UE for establishing the UEprocessing configuration; selecting a wireless network processingconfiguration for sending the selected reference signal to the UE via aTransmission Point of the wireless network, wherein the wireless networkprocessing configuration imparts a characteristic to the referencesignal; sending to the UE an indication that the selected referencesignal is usable by the UE for establishing the UE processingconfiguration; and sending the selected reference signal to the UE usingthe selected wireless network processing configuration.
 55. A UserEquipment (UE) configured to establish a UE processing configuration forthe selective enhancement of radio signals received or transmitted bythe UE, the UE comprising: communication circuitry configured forcommunication with a wireless network that includes one or moreTransmission Points; and processing circuitry operatively associatedwith the communication circuitry and configured to: receive from aTransmission Point of the wireless network, via the communicationcircuitry, an indication that an identified reference signal is usableby the UE for establishing a UE processing configuration; and receivethe identified reference signal from a Transmission Point of thewireless network.
 56. The UE as claimed in claim 55, wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to: identify a UE processingconfiguration that is adapted to a characteristic of the identifiedreference signal; use the identified UE processing configuration toperform at least one of transmitting or receiving radio signals; andidentify the UE processing configuration that is adapted to thecharacteristic of the identified reference signal by identifying a UEprocessing configuration that selectively enhances the identifiedreference signal.
 57. The UE as claimed in claim 56, wherein thecommunication circuitry includes or is associated with at least oneantenna and wherein the processing circuitry is configured to processsignals received by the antenna, wherein the identified UE processingconfiguration comprises a configuration of at least one of the antenna,the communication circuitry and the processing circuitry.
 58. A wirelessnetwork entity configured to facilitate the establishment, in a UserEquipment (UE) of a UE processing configuration for the selectiveenhancement of radio signals received or transmitted by the UE, thewireless network entity comprising: communication circuitry configuredfor communicating directly or indirectly with the UE; and processingcircuitry operatively associated with the communication circuitry andconfigured to: select a reference signal usable by the UE forestablishing a UE processing configuration; select a wireless networkprocessing configuration for sending the selected reference signal tothe UE via a Transmission Point of the wireless network, wherein thewireless network processing configuration imparts a characteristic tothe reference signal; and send to the UE an indication that the selectedreference signal is usable by the UE for establishing a UE processingconfiguration, and to send the selected reference signal to the UE usingthe selected wireless network processing configuration.
 59. A UserEquipment (UE) configured to establish a UE processing configuration forthe selective enhancement of radio signals received or transmitted bythe UE, the UE comprising a processor and a memory, the memorycontaining instructions executable by the processor whereby the UE isoperative to: receive from a Transmission Point of a wireless network,an indication that an identified reference signal is usable by the UEfor establishing a UE processing configuration; and receive theidentified reference signal from a Transmission Point of the wirelessnetwork.
 60. A wireless network entity configured to facilitate theestablishment, in a User Equipment (UE) of a UE processing configurationfor the selective enhancement of radio signals received or transmittedby the UE, the wireless network entity comprising a processor and amemory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processorwhereby the wireless network entity is operative to: select a referencesignal usable by the UE for establishing the UE processingconfiguration; select a wireless network processing configuration forsending the selected reference signal to the UE via a Transmission Pointof the wireless network, wherein the wireless network processingconfiguration imparts a characteristic to the reference signal; send tothe UE an indication that the selected reference signal is usable by theUE for establishing the UE processing configuration; and send theselected reference signal to the UE using the selected wireless networkprocessing configuration.
 61. A non-transitory computer readable mediumstoring a computer program for facilitating the establishing of a UserEquipment (UE) processing configuration for selective enhancement ofradio signals received or transmitted by a UE, the computer programcomprising instructions that, when executed on at least one processor ofthe UE, cause the at least one processor to: receive from a TransmissionPoint of a wireless network, an indication that an identified referencesignal is usable by the UE for establishing a UE processingconfiguration; and receive the identified reference signal from aTransmission Point of the wireless network.
 62. A non-transitorycomputer readable medium storing a computer program for facilitating theestablishment, in a User Equipment (UE), of a UE processingconfiguration for the selective enhancement of radio signals received ortransmitted by the UE, the computer program comprising instructionsthat, when executed on at least one processor of a network entity in awireless network, cause the at least one processor to: select areference signal usable by the UE for establishing the UE processingconfiguration; select a wireless network processing configuration forsending the selected reference signal to the UE via a Transmission Pointof the wireless network, wherein the wireless network processingconfiguration imparts a characteristic to the reference signal; send tothe UE an indication that the selected reference signal is usable by theUE for establishing the UE processing configuration; and send theselected reference signal to the UE using the selected wireless networkprocessing configuration.